]]>Human Aid has launched a legal challenge against the British government over its ‘counter-terrorism’ powers. [1]

The UK-based Muslim charity said it decided to launch the legal challenge after its aid workers had been stopped under the governments Schedule 7 stops.

Under the stop and search power, officially titled Schedule 7 of the Terrorism Act 2000, police are allowed to ‘stop and question’ individuals who are travelling abroad in order to determine whether they are a ‘terrorist’. The law also allows the police to “detain and search” individuals for up to six hours for questioning. [2] The powers do not require police to have any reason for suspicion and if an individual does not comply, it is considered a terrorism offence.

Human Aid is a charity that works in some of the most devastated regions across the world, providing them with food and health provisions. Some of these locations include Yemen, Syria and Gaza.

Human Aid said that its aid workers were stopped in July 2019 at Heathrow Airport by Border Police as they were en route to the Gaza strip to deliver lifesaving aid. During the Schedule 7 stop Human Aid’s donations for their projects were also seized.

The chair of Human Aid UK, Nur Choudhury said that his staff members had been repeatedly stopped by the police whilst going through different UK ports. He also claimed that aid workers from several other Muslim charities in the sector had faced similar treatment. [3] Choudhury Said:

“Human Aid UK has had staff and volunteers stopped repeatedly under Schedule 7 powers. During these stops, our aid workers are searched, interrogated under terrorism laws and their fingerprints and DNA samples are taken,”

“There seems to be no way to stop this harassment and criminalisation of aid work. One begins to wonder if it is a crime to care for others.”

In a press release, Human Aid said that:

“In addition to facing intense scrutiny, many Muslim charities have had their bank accounts closed without reason, faced funding platforms refusing to service them and also faced ongoing negative media portrayals.”

It further added:

“HAUK itself has endured bank account closures, denial of service and a Commission inquiry that lasted in practice over five years.”

Schedule 7 has faced fierce criticism from human rights groups calling for the ‘counter-terrorism’ powers to be removed. This follows CAGE’s recently published report which revealed that 419,000 people have been questioned around the UK under Schedule 7 since 2009. [4]

The report suggests that the detaining of Muslims at UK ports and airports has become widespread, and that the Schedule 7 border powers are a manifestation of structural Islamophobia. As a result, CAGE made a complaint to the policing regulator, the Independent Office for Police Conduct, on behalf of ten individuals affected by the harassment procedure. The advocacy group has written to MPs on the APPG on British Muslims to “spell out” concerns regarding these detentions. [5]

The international director of CAGE, Muhammad Rabbani, who himself has been stopped over 20 times under Schedule 7 powers, said:

“There is a real sense of frustration from impacted communities about the sweeping and Islamophobic nature of Schedule 7 stops. Public bodies must uphold their duty to protect the rights of minorities, and it is why we are asking the APPG to urgently investigate this matter with the Home Office.”

Following the release of the report, Cerie Bullivant, who himself has been repeatedly stopped under Schedule 7, launched an online community petition urging the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on British Muslims to investigate the Home Office over their conduct with Schedule 7 powers. [6]

The petition has reached over 26,000 signatures so far, and is rising fast. To view, sign, and share the petition, click the link below:

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/schedule-7-muslim-charity-launches-legal-challenge-against-governments-counter-terrorism-powers/feed/049092Netanyahu promises to annex parts of the West Bankhttps://www.islam21c.com/news-views/netanyahu-promises-to-annex-parts-of-the-west-bank/
https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/netanyahu-promises-to-annex-parts-of-the-west-bank/#respondThu, 12 Sep 2019 15:44:10 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=49059Netanyahu: "I announce my intention, after the establishment of a new government, to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea."

]]>Arab leaders have strongly condemned Benjamin Netanyahu’s latest promise to annex parts of the West Bank, namely, the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea. [1]

The Israeli Prime Minister made mention of his plans on Tuesday to forcibly acquit these territories and others, as part of his election bid if he wins next week’s snap election.

He said in a speech broadcasted live on Israeli TV channels:

“Today, I announce my intention, after the establishment of a new government, to apply Israeli sovereignty to the Jordan Valley and the northern Dead Sea.” [2]

According to the Israeli human rights group B’Tselem, around 65,000 Palestinians and Israelis reside in the areas mentioned, including in the Palestinian city of Jericho, which contains around 28 villages and several other smaller Bedouin communities. [2]

Though these occupied parts make up 30% of the West Bank, they lie in Area C, putting them under the control of the Israeli military.

Netanyahu’s announcement has put the region on high alert, with some Arab foreign ministers meeting in Cairo to say that the move is a “dangerous development and a new Israeli aggression by declaring the intention to violate the international law” and that these statements have undermined “the chances of any progress in the peace process and will torpedo all its foundations.”

Other countries have released separate statements warning of Netanyahu’s plan. Saudi Arabia called for an emergency meeting of the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC), Jordan, one of the only two Arab states to have a peace treaty with ‘Israel’, called the plan a “serious escalation.” Qatar condemned “Israel’s continued contempt of international law,” while Turkey have called the pledge outright “racist.” [1]

Saeb Erekat, Palestine’s chief negotiator, echoed cries that this move would be illegal by commenting that the proposed annexation would “bury any chance of peace.” [3]

The news has also pushed the president of the Palestinian authority, Mahmoud Abbas, to state that the Palestinians would pull out of any previous agreements signed with the Israeli government if the move went ahead.

“[We maintain] the right to defend our rights and achieve our goals through all available means regardless of the consequences.” [4]

However, the United Nations have stated that the Netanyahu’s aggressive plan to annex parts of the West Bank would hinder the chances of ongoing peace negotiations.

Stéphane Dujarric, the Spokesperson for the United Nations Secretary-General, said:

“Any Israeli decision to impose its laws, jurisdictions and administration in the occupied West Bank is without any international legal effect.”

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/netanyahu-promises-to-annex-parts-of-the-west-bank/feed/049059UK’s most senior counter terrorism officer uses platform in ‘Israel’ to promote racist Prevent strategyhttps://www.islam21c.com/news-views/uks-most-senior-counter-terrorism-officer-uses-platform-in-israel-to-promote-racist-prevent-strategy/
https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/uks-most-senior-counter-terrorism-officer-uses-platform-in-israel-to-promote-racist-prevent-strategy/#respondWed, 11 Sep 2019 19:19:15 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=49035“It is ironic that Basu speaks about PREVENT and countering terrorism in Israel, a country condemned by the UN for its policies of violence against civilian Palestinian populations…”

]]>The head of counter terror policing in the Met Police, Assistant Commissioner Neil Basu has faced criticism for damaging the credibility of the Police by promoting the racist and Islamophobic Prevent programme. [1]

Neil Basu demonstrated this deeply problematic understanding of the causes behind violence whilst speaking at a conference in ‘Israel’.

During his speech, Basu urged Lord Carlile, the newly appointed ‘Independent’ reviewer of Prevent, to ignore ‘malign detractors’ and instead only engage with ‘critical friends’.

The appointment of Lord Carlile as the lead investigator is in fact a re-appointment, as he was the same reviewer who approved of the Government’s failed strategy in 2011. Critics have suggested that the entire process of supposedly reviewing the strategy is a step towards legitimising Prevent.

In fact, the supposed ‘Independent’ reviewer is on record saying he is biased towards the strategy. Human rights groups have argued that in doing so he is undermining his position as he told parliament he was ‘somewhat biased’ towards the toxic strategy. [2]

In early August, a group of 10 human rights organisations and community groups, including the MCB, Liberty, and the Index on Censorship, wrote a joint letter to security minister Brandon Lewis condemning the Government for appointing Lord Carlile without public consultation. The group accused the Government of “shrouding the process in secrecy” and making the appointment behind closed doors. [3]

In the joint letter the group said:

“In combination, these omissions do not inspire confidence that the government is seeking to appoint a reviewer with the expertise and independence required to thoroughly scrutinise the logic, remit and impact of Prevent,”

In response to the remarks made by Neil Basu in ‘Israel’, advocacy group CAGE have said that his comments are “a clear indication that the review is nothing more than a shallow rebranding exercise to bolster the toxic policy.”

CAGE’s Spokesperson, Cerie Bullivant said:

“Neil Basu fails to acknowledge the growing body of research that establish that the causes of violence are rooted in unethical foreign policies, support for despots and hostile domestic laws which target and isolate minorities. PREVENT addresses none of this, it rather perpetuates them.”

He further added:

“It is ironic that Basu speaks about PREVENT and countering terrorism in Israel, a country condemned by the UN for its policies of violence against civilian Palestinian populations and is the amongst the biggest arms dealers for India, which is engaged in its own violent campaign against a civilian population in Kashmir.”

Many groups have criticised, opposed, and called for the repeal of the Prevent strategy. These groups include the National Union of Students (NUS), Federation of Student Islamic Societies (FOSIS), University and College Union (UCU), National Union of Teachers (NUT), several faith groups, academics, and activists. [4]

The very essence of Prevent is based on ancient myths and stereotypes of the causes of non-White violence. As such, for many years, Prevent has been criticised as being Islamophobic and racist. It is said to have targeted the Muslim community and, over the years, its implementation has deteriorated civil liberties, thereby restricting political opposition and constraining any possible room for essential dialogue within schools, colleges, and universities.

According to a report published by the racial equality organisation JUST Yorkshire, the Prevent strategy is having disturbing consequences on society. The report stated that the strategy is “built on a foundation of Islamophobia and racism.” The report also highlights that the strategy is “ineffective and counterproductive,” and should be repealed. [5]

Figures published by the Home Office display an increase in Prevent referrals across the country overwhelmingly targeting Muslims. The figures show that 65% of the 7,631 referrals were Muslims, despite Muslims composing approximately 5% of the British population. The figures also show that 56% of the total referrals were aged 20 or under, whilst a quarter of the referrals were of under-15s. Most of the referrals came from the education sector, followed by the policing sector. [6][7]

Muslims comprise approximately 5% of the United Kingdom [8] and less than 5% of the perpetrators of “successful and foiled” terror plots, [9] yet they are vastly overrepresented in the counter-terrorism matrix — from Prevent referrals to Schedule 7 stops and searches to “terrorism” convictions. Not only does this lead to unjustified fear and panic from the broader population, it also contributes to the alienation and disenfranchisement of many young or mentally vulnerable Muslims. [10]

This is one of the reasons that an increasing number of researchers and activists have been warning that Prevent is not just ineffective but actually counterproductive. A sense of alienation, disenfranchisement, and experience of racist double standards have long been significantly empirical causal factors involved in the likelihood of some people to be drawn into political violence and terrorism, and emphatically not the non-violent beliefs and opinions — whether ‘radical’ or not — that the Prevent programme has been focusing its attention on. [11]

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/uks-most-senior-counter-terrorism-officer-uses-platform-in-israel-to-promote-racist-prevent-strategy/feed/049035The first UK city to recognise Palestine as a state is…Sheffield!https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/the-first-uk-city-to-recognise-palestine-as-a-state-issheffield/
https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/the-first-uk-city-to-recognise-palestine-as-a-state-issheffield/#respondSun, 08 Sep 2019 16:39:53 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=48930Sheffield Palestine Solidarity Campaign: “We hope that this initiative will be followed by measures aimed at ending British military and economic collusion with Israel’s occupation and colonisation of Palestinian land.”

]]>Sheffield City Council has passed a motion formally recognising Palestine as a sovereign state, a “symbolic gesture” they hope paves the way for other cities, and the UK government, to follow in their footsteps. [1]

The Labour-controlled local council unanimously passed the motion on Wednesday, before the raising of the Palestinian flag in a ceremony outside the city’s Town Hall by the UK’s Palestinian ambassador, Husam Zomlot.

The Labour party’s national leader, Jeremy Corbyn, has previously pledged that Palestine will be recognised as a full state as part of UN and UK law if the party is elected into power, thereby increasing the pressure on the current Government run by the Conservatives.

The motion passed by Sheffield City Council called for the recognition of Palestinians’ rights to their own state. It read, “There has to be a right of the Palestinian people to live in peace and security as well as the right of Israel.”

It first gained traction through a petition by the Sheffield Labour Friends of Palestine, which was later presented by council leader Julie Dore back in July of this year.

Almost 14,000 people signed the petition to recognise Palestine as a state. Julie Pearn, the chair of the committee, commented: “The size of the petition is unprecedented and demonstrates the wish of ordinary citizens to see justice for Palestinians, who have suffered dispossession of their homes, Israeli military occupation, human rights abuse and siege over the decades since 1948.”

Pearn added:

“While largely symbolic, Sheffield’s recognition of the Palestinian right to statehood would be significant. The UK government has always taken a timid approach under United States pressure, but many feel that the tide of public opinion is turning.

Sheffield would be the first UK council to take this step and set a precedent, just as happened with its recognition of Somaliland as an independent state, which other councils followed.” [2]

As expected, the move has been criticised by some, with Zionist Federation chairman Paul Charney remarking:

“In this instance though, rather than questioning whether ‘Palestine’ should be recognised as a state or not, the more pertinent question is why a British local council is meddling in international politics when it is not their role or place to do so.

Whilst on the one hand, the council have confirmed their intention is to use it to encourage the UK government to recognise ‘Palestine’ as a state, something some ‘two-staters’ may see as a positive step in that direction, the reality is that Sheffield Council is dabbling in gesture politics on issues entirely outside of their control.” [3]

However, councillor Neale Gibson anticipated the questioning of their decision from local campaign groups.

“There will be some pro-Israel groups that no doubt write letters of complaints.

“We’d had them before, but we think we’re doing the right thing. The intentions are right so we will stand by our decision.”

Several reports citing a family source have stated that the son of late President Mohammed Morsi has died of a “sudden” heart attack.

Abdullah Morsi, 24-years-old, was the youngest of Morsi’s five children. The sources said that Abdullah died on Wednesday at the Oasis hospital in Giza in the southwest of the capital because of an alleged heart attack.

In addition, a family member of Morsi confirmed the death of his son to Anadolu Agency, however Egypt’s health ministry has yet to comment on his death.

In June, Egypt’s state television reported that Mohamed Morsi, Egypt’s first and last democratically elected president, died while standing trial for charges that he and legal observers said were politically motivated.

Abdullah Morsi was an outspoken critic of the Egyptian regime and had been imprisoned on several occasions in the past few years. In addition, Abdullah was also one of the most supportive of his father and his defence during his trial and stay in prison. He had been accused and later acquitted of drug use. A case involving allegations that his legal observers said were fabricated.

We beseech Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) to expand Abdullah’s grave, shower His infinite mercy upon him, forgive his sins, and grant his family patience. We also ask Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) to make this difficult time an expiation of sins and the raising of rank in the sight of our Lord.

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/breaking-former-egyptian-president-morsis-son-dies-of-sudden-heart-attack/feed/048786UN: Britain may be complicit in Saudi-led war crimes in Yemenhttps://www.islam21c.com/news-views/un-britain-may-be-complicit-in-saudi-led-war-crimes-in-yemen/
https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/un-britain-may-be-complicit-in-saudi-led-war-crimes-in-yemen/#respondWed, 04 Sep 2019 16:22:37 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=48769A panel of experts have compiled a list of 160 key actors, including Britain, the US, and France, who may face charges for war crimes for their contributions to the brutal Saudi-led war in Yemen that has resulted in death, destruction, and starvation.

]]>The United Nations Human Rights Council (UNHRC) released a report yesterday detailing a number of possible war crimes committed by multiple parties since the Saudi-led war in Yemen began five years ago. [1] These crimes included indiscriminate shelling, the use of snipers, airstrikes and landmines, arbitrary killings and detentions, sexual violence, and blocking access to humanitarian aid.

The panel of experts who produced the report primarily found that there was a “pervasive lack of accountability” for the crimes committed by the governments of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, as well as the Houthi rebels and their Iranian backers. The chairperson of the panel, Mr. Kamel Jendoubi, said:

“Five years into the conflict, violations against Yemeni civilians continue unabated, with total disregard for the plight of the people and a lack of international action to hold parties to the conflict accountable.”

“The inhumane deprivation of the Yemeni population of their rights to medicine, water and food should stop immediately. The very survival of the 24 million in need should be the first priority.”

Going beyond the nations directly involved in the conflict, the report warned that a number of Western countries could be held responsible for aiding or facilitating these war crimes. The report noted:

“States are obliged to take all reasonable measures to ensure respect for international humanitarian law by other states. Furthermore, the Arms Trade Treaty, to which France and the United Kingdom are parties, prohibits the authorization of arms transfers with the knowledge that these would be used to commit war crimes.”

“The legality of arms transfers by France, the United Kingdom, the United States and other states remains questionable, and is the subject of various domestic court proceedings.” [3]

One of the panel experts, Melissa Parker, further added:

“It is clear that the continued supply of weapons to parties to the conflict is perpetuating the conflict and prolonging the suffering of the Yemeni people.”

Reacting to the news, Muhsin Siddiquey, Oxfam’s Yemen Country Director, told the Guardian:

“This shocking report should act as a wake-up call to the UK government. It offers all the proof needed of the misery and suffering being inflicted on the people of Yemen by a war partly fuelled by UK arms sales to Saudi Arabia and other coalition members.”

In carrying out their investigation, the panel conducted field research and carried out more than 600 interviews. The governments of Yemen, Saudi Arabia, the UAE and Egypt refused to co-operate during the investigation.[6]

The panel are said to have concluded with a list of 160 key actors in the conflict, from which those most likely to be complicit in war crimes have been reported to higher authorities within the UN. The list remains undisclosed to the public at this stage.

Millions have been displaced and thousands killed in the continuing war that began in 2014 between the Saudi-led coalition and the Iranian-backed Houthi rebels. The situation in Yemen is said to be the world’s largest humanitarian crisis, with more than 24 million people in need of aid.[8]

Ethar Relief is one of the main UK charities providing lifesaving support to the millions affected by food insecurity in Yemen. You can help save lives. Click here to find out more.

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/un-britain-may-be-complicit-in-saudi-led-war-crimes-in-yemen/feed/048769Imprisoned for Hijab: The Story of Şule Yüksel Şenlerhttps://www.islam21c.com/news-views/imprisoned-for-hijab-the-story-of-sule-yuksel-senler/
https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/imprisoned-for-hijab-the-story-of-sule-yuksel-senler/#respondTue, 03 Sep 2019 11:28:27 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=48714One of the most renowned names in Muslim women's struggle for religious freedom in the 21st Century, passed away at the age of 81. May Allāh have mercy on her. Click to find out who Şule Yüksel Şenler was...

]]>You will find it easy to recall people that identify as writers, journalists, or activists, but you will find it very difficult to recall people that can identify as “hijab activists”. One could argue that Şule Yüksel Şenler practically invented the claim.

Şule Yüksel Şenler was a pioneering woman who popularised hijab in the second part of the 1960s. She was the first to introduce the hijab concept to urban daily life and fought for religious freedom in a chaotic political climate and a staunchly secular Ataturk era.

Despite being accredited as the figure to introduce the headscarf to generations of Muslim women living in Turkey in a time when secularism was heavily promoted, the early years of Şenler’s life painted a different picture.

Born in 1938 to a somewhat secular family, Şenler grew up in Istanbul. She dropped out of school in the 8th grade after her family went bankrupt and her mother fell ill. She then worked as a tailor’s assistant, which would later lead her to design a new headscarf for conservative women. [1]

Whilst still remaining uninterested in the hijab, Şenler turned to writing. Her stories were published in the Yelpaze magazine when she was only 14 years old, and she would later write articles or the Kadin (‘Woman’) newspaper.

It was her brother she later claimed as the reason for her reformation, after he advised her to read “Risale”, a popular book by Said Nursi. The Kurdish Sunni theologian inspired her to become a practicing Muslim, and in 1965, she began wearing the headscarf aged 27.

She became the first veiled journalist in what was at the time a staunchly secularised political climate in Turkey, using her articles and public lectures at conferences around Turkey to inspire Muslim women, many of whom would later take to wearing the headscarf.

Alongside her brother, she published a magazine on headscarf and long coat designs, receiving overwhelming praise and interest among young women who began wearing the headscarf in schools.

Naturally, her activism garnered unwanted attention from the authorities. In 1967, the Turkish Women’s Union filed a lawsuit against her for an article in which she wrote: “It is a must that Muslim women put on their headscarves.”

At a conference in 1971, the then-president of Turkey, Cevdet Sunay, said:

“Those behind [the increasing number of] covered women on the streets will be punished…”

To which Senlar responded in a letter:

“[Sunay] should apologise to Allāh and the nation.”

A warrant was put out for her arrest for seemingly insulting the president, and she was subsequently jailed for eight months. Her imprisonment caused public outcry, after which Sunay was pressured into pardoning her two months into her sentence. She refused amnesty and carried out her whole prison sentence.

After her release, she continued delivering lectures, writing articles, and authoring books for several years as a journalist. She defended and propagated the message of Islam, all whilst battling advanced age and illness.

On the 27th of Dhul Hijjah 1440 (28th August 2019), Şule Yüksel Şenler, aged 81, took her last breath and passed on to meet her Lord. Innā lillāhi wa innā ilayhi rājiʿūn. Indeed, to Allāh we belong, and to Him we are returning.

Following the news of her demise, Nasser Al-Duwailah, a member of the Kuwaiti National Assembly, tweeted:

“The death of the woman who faced the secular Ataturk with her veil and succeeded in imposing her veil on the rule of the cursed military enemies of freedom, democracy and humanity, and deposited by the Turkish Muslim people in all elders and appreciation to her final rest, God rest her soul in peace.” [2]

Many of those in attendance of her funeral included women wearing the headscarf, as they bid farewell to the woman who inspired them through her life of activism.

The President of Turkey, Recep Tayyip Erdoğan, was one of hundreds present at the funeral prayers for Şule Yüksel Şenler. After learning of her passing, he tweeted:

“I learned with great sorrow the passing of Şule Yüksel Şenler, a pioneer in the headscarf struggle, a valuable writer who devoted her life to raising consciousness among the youth. May Allāh bless her soul.” [3]

President Recep Tayyip Erdoğan listening to Şule Yüksel Şenler

The president also pledged that the Turkish government would set up a library and museum dedicated to Şenler, [4] housing many of her works including but not limited to ‘The Agony of Youth’, ‘Women in Islam and Today’, and ‘Everything for Islam’. [5]

“The life of the distinguished hero of Islam, Şule Yüksel Şenler, follows that of history’s greatest reformers. Şenler lived by a purpose so powerful that she endured being an outcast. She insisted on modesty and purity. She did not succumb to those peddling the secularist narrative and those who dubbed the hijab as an ‘archaic’ custom. Today, she is rightly heralded as a hero. Having worn the hijab in Turkey’s most repressive days, she carried the burden off millions of women both in Turkey and abroad who today wear the hijab in comfort and dignity. The President of her time had Şenler incarcerated. Who would have imagined that, at the height of Turkey’s prosperity, Şenler’s coffin would be carried and honoured by the President of the Republic accompanied by his hijab-wearing wife? Her memory is a lasting testament to those who will be remembered. The memory of the so-called ‘anti-extremist think-tanks’ and anti-Hijab grovellers, on the other hand, will be forgotten.”

We beseech Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) to expand her grave, shower His infinite mercy upon her, forgive her sins, and grant her family patience. We also ask Allāh (subḥānahu wa taʿālā) to make this difficult time an expiation of sins and the raising of rank in the sight of our Lord.

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/imprisoned-for-hijab-the-story-of-sule-yuksel-senler/feed/048714Yemen prison bombed by Saudi-led coalition, killing dozens https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/yemen-prison-bombed-by-saudi-led-coalition-killing-dozens/
https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/yemen-prison-bombed-by-saudi-led-coalition-killing-dozens/#commentsSun, 01 Sep 2019 18:11:38 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=48669According to Houthi officials, at least 60 people have been killed in an alleged Saudi-UAE-coalition air strike on a detention centre in Dhamar.

]]>Dozens have reportedly been killed during a Saudi-UAE-led military coalition strike on a prison in western Yemen whilst fighting Houthi militants.

A spokesman for the Houthis’ Ministry of Health, Yusuf al-Hadri, said that at least 60 people had been killed in the air strikes on Sunday, with fifty more wounded.

The strikes happened in the north of the city of Dhamar, hitting a complex being used as a detention centre.

According to Yusuf, “185 prisoners of war were being held overall at the Dhamar Community College.”

According to the Associated Press news agency, Nazem Saleh was among those being held at the facility. Saleh reported that the detainees “were sleeping and around midnight, there were maybe three, or four, or six strikes.”

On his way to a local hospital whilst on a stretcher, Saleh added that: “They were targeting the jail, I really don’t know the strike numbers … We were 100 persons on the ground level and around 150 on the upper level.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=dMNZAmYbEpk&vl=en

During a statement delivered on Saudi state television, the Saudi-UAE-led military coalition stated that it had launched air raids on Houthi military targets, destroying a site that was allegedly storing missiles and drones.

The coalition claims it had taken measures to ensure civilians were protected in Dhamar and that the assault took place in accordance with international law. However, the Western-backed coalition has previously come under severe criticism and condemnation by human rights organisations for its continuous onslaught in Yemen.

The ongoing war in Yemen has left 85% of the population (over 22 million people) in desperate need of aid and facing catastrophic conditions, according the United Nations humanitarian chief.

The country has faced more than 3 years of civil war, with heavy involvement from regional powers backing opposing sides, leaving the population on the brink of famine.

War broke out in 2014 after Houthi rebels took control of the capital Sana’a, which led to a Saudi-led response backed by the US to reinstate the internationally-backed government. The intervention portrayed the Saudi Crown Prince as a strong and decisive leader, with the apparent expectation of a quick conclusion.

However, the war continues many years later in what has become a proxy war. More than 2 million people have been displaced, and at least 10,000 killed so far. The war has devastated the poorest nation in the Arab world, which continues to see its already-weak economy completely collapse.

Ethar Relief is one of the main UK charities providing lifesaving support to the millions affected by food insecurity in Yemen. You can help save lives. Click here to find out more.

]]>Muslims around the world have hailed Qatar’s decision to withdraw its signature from a letter it signed last month alongside 37 countries expressing support for China’s repressive policies in East Turkestan. As many as two million ethnic Uyghurs are currently being held in detention centres akin to concentration camps.

According to human rights organisations, millions of Uyghurs (and other Muslim minorities mainly from the East Turkestan region) are being held in a vast network of concentration camps in China undergoing alleged political rehabilitation. Beijing says these “education centres” are necessary for countering religious extremism, but reports have emerged of physical and mental torture, children being forcibly separated from their parents, and many forced to denounce their religion and pledge loyalty to the Communist Party.

Despite widespread international condemnation, dozens of countries sent a joint letter to the President of the UN Human Rights Council and the UN High Commissioner for Human Rights, expressing their support for China. The letter, signed by Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, Egypt, Pakistan, Russia, and several others,[1] absurdly commended “China’s remarkable achievements in the field of human rights” whilst ironically opposing the practice of “politicizing human rights issues.”[2]

Activists have criticised the manoeuvre by these countries as a political evasion of questions on their own human rights records, with the Gulf signatories responsible for the war on Yemen that has created the worst humanitarian catastrophe in recent history and the incarceration of dozens of scholars and activists. The Egyptian coup regime, on the other hand, is thought to have incarcerated no less than 60,000 pro-democracy activists in some of the world’s most dire and unliveable conditions, the same justification it has afforded China of countering “terrorism and extremism.”

Almost exactly a month after endorsing China’s repressive policies in East Turkestan, the UAE awarded Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi the highest civil decoration, the ‘Order of Zayed’.[3] The government led by the BJP, a Hindu extremist party, recently stripped Jammu and Kashmir of its special status, revoking Article 370 that had given the Muslim region semi-autonomy.[4] Jammu and Kashmir is known as the most militarised zone in the world.[5]

In July, a 43-page report released by the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights (OHCHR) documented grave human rights violations, including the killing of dozens of civilians at the hands of Indian troops and various forms of arbitrary detention.[6]

The UAE repealed its own values and Islamic ideals in favour of economic ties by inaugurating Hindu temples and Buddha idols on its main highways.[7] The ‘Order of Zayed’ award, handed to the ultra-nationalist Indian prime minister on the 24th of August, has been branded “a total disregard of human rights in favour of economic ties.”[8] Many have reasoned that it only adds insult to injury on top of UAE’s endorsement of East Turkestan’s concentration camps. It remains to be seen how far the UAE is willing to go in forgoing the causes of Muslims around the world.

]]>https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/uae-rolls-out-red-carpet-for-butcher-of-gujrat-modi/feed/047903Turkish military convoy attacked in Northern Syriahttps://www.islam21c.com/news-views/turkish-military-convoy-attacked-in-northern-syria/
https://www.islam21c.com/news-views/turkish-military-convoy-attacked-in-northern-syria/#respondMon, 19 Aug 2019 20:11:48 +0000https://www.islam21c.com/?p=47757The Turkish defence ministry announced that three civilians were killed following air raids on a military convoy…

]]>A Turkish military convoy came under attack by regime forces as it made its way through Syria’s rebel-held Idlib province. The convoy was made up of seven tanks and heavy weaponry.

According to the Turkish defence ministry, three civilians were killed and a further 12 were wounded in the attack.

Monday’s air raids were “strongly condemned” by the Turkish ministry, who said that they were contrary to “existing agreements as well as our cooperation and dialogue with Russia.”

The ministry also called for “urgent measures” to prevent a repeat of the incident.

According to Turkey, the convoy was en route to one of its observation posts in northwest Syria, but the Syrian regime claims that it entered the country to deliver ammunition to assist opposition fighters.

The Syrian regime and its allies have succeeded in recent weeks in retaking many parts of the country and now seek to exterminate the remaining rebel-held enclaves, with reports of civilian massacres and attempts to force the fighters into surrender.

Turkey supports some of the rebel factions in Syria and has even deployed its forces into the area under deals with the regime’s closest ally, Russia.

Syria’s foreign ministry denounced Turkey’s move and called it an act of “aggression.” Syrian state media, SANA, added that Turkey’s move would not affect “the determination of the Syrian Arab Army to keep hunting the remnants of terrorists.”

The convoy was forced to stop on the Damascus-Aleppo highway due to Russian air raids in the area, according to Al Jazeera’s Suhaib al-Khalaf, who added:

“It is clear that the Syrian-Russian alliance wants to send a direct message to the convoy: not to approach the areas where heavy clashes are taking place in and around Khan Sheikhoun.”

Syria’s eight-year civil war was born out of peaceful protests by Syrian civilians for reforms and changes in the Syrian regime. The latter’s response was one of violence and brutality, which forced the people to take up arms in defence. Over three million Syrians are trapped in Idlib province without adequate food, shelter, and medical security.

Over 500,000 people have been killed in the crackdown by the regime, with many more being displaced. The Syrian regime, with backing and support from its allies Russia and Iran, has been able to militarily defeat the opposition and rebel fighters, and is regaining territory that has been lost in previous years.